First Annual Howard Haines Appreciation Day

Adam and I bought our house as part of an estate sale. We got a great deal on a fixer upper that is beautiful and has a character that charmed us the second we walked through the door. We have done a good deal of work and still have a great deal to do, but every day we look at each other confident in the knowledge that THIS is where we belong-our home.

About a month ago we were going through some of our paperwork and we learned that Howard Haines departed this life on February 26, 2008. We purchased this house from his estate. We knew that we should make sure to take a moment each February 26 to honor the life of Howard Haines.

Howard was a professor of music at Drexel University. The executor of his estate, Adelle Rubin, taught in the Theatre Department there. She stopped by the house in December while we were working away at fixing old wiring and painting walls, etc. I had a chance to chat with her for a good while about Howard. Howard was very passionate about three things, music, teaching, and his friends. Adelle told me of many evenings enjoying the company of Howard and friends at dinner parties he used to hold here (some friends of his from down the street stopped by one day to tell me the same thing). She also let me know that this house was always filled with wonderful music and there were bookshelves everywhere stuffed with cds and books about music. He loved this house and for years he decorated it elaborately at Christmas and entered the parade of homes. Howard was a man who truly enjoyed life and all that it had to offer. Adelle brought me a photo of Howard in his tux with his baton and he looked extremely proud. You can tell by looking at him that he was at home in front of an orchestra.

I would have loved to meet Howard, I think we would have enjoyed his company as much as his friends. And I think he would have liked us. Adelle told me he would be proud to know that this house, our home, passed from one artist to another.

So, Howard, tonight Adam and I will raise a glass to you in celebration of the wonderfully full life that you led. We promise to fill the house with music and host friends and family as often as possible to continue to honor your spirit.